Did You Know...
New Formulations of Fenofibrate
for the
Treatment of Primary
Hypercholesterolemia
or Mixed Dyslipidemia

Abbott Laboratories has introduced a new formulation of TriCor® (fenofibrate). This new formulation is as safe and efficacious
as the previous formulation, only at a lower dose. The new tablet
strengths, 48- and 145-mg, will replace the 54- and 160-mg tablets,
which will no longer be available. The new TriCor® formulation
uses a NanoCrystalTM technology that eliminates the requirement
of taking TriCor® with a meal. The cost of the TriCor® tablets, both the new and old formulations, are comparably priced (Table 1).

The initial dose of TriCor® for adults with primary hypercholesterolemia
or mixed dyslipidemia is 145 mg per day. The initial dose for hypertriglyceridemia
is 48 to 145 mg per day. The dose should be individualized based
on patient response with a maximum dose of 145 mg per day. Therapy
with TriCor® should be withdrawn if an adequate response
at this dose has not been met after 2 months. TriCor® should be initiated at the lowest possible dose (48 mg/day) in elderly
patients as well as in patients with impaired renal function. Doses
should only be increased after a thorough review of the drug's effects
on renal function and lipid levels.

Additionally, another new fenofibrate formulation, LofibraTM, has become
available. LofibraTM is available as 67-, 134- and 200-mg
micronized capsules. This is a branded fenofibrate product
and is not AB-rated to TriCor® tablets. LofibraTM should be administered with meals. The initial dose of LofibraTM for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed
hyperlipidemia in adult patients is 200 mg per day. The initial
dose for hypertriglyceridemia in adult patients is 67 to 200 mg
per day. The dose should be individualized based on patient response
with a maximum dose of 200 mg per day. LofibraTM should
be initiated at the lowest possible dose (67 mg/day) in elderly
patients as well as in patients with impaired renal function. Doses
should only be increased after a thorough review of the drug's effects
on renal function and lipid levels.

Table 1: Cost Comparison

Drug

Formulary
Status

Strength

Cost
(AWP)/Tablet or Capsule

Fenofibrate (TriCor®)

F

48 mg

$1.14/Tablet

145 mg

$3.52/Tablet

Fenofibrate (LofibraTM)

F

67 mg

$0.86/Capsule

134 mg

$1.65/Capsule

200 mg

$2.57/Capsule

F = Formulary
AWP = Average Wholesale Price

There are currently no recommended dose conversions between TriCor® tablets and LofibraTM capsules.